University System awards GSW AAMI grant

ATLANTA--The University System of Georgia’s (USG) African American Male Initiative (AAMI) recently awarded new grants to 11 programs, including $10,000 to Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) African American Male Institute. The funds, which address the educational needs of black males, will help GSW conduct their program during the remainder of the 2008-2009 academic year.

This is the fourth round of program funding awarded to USG AAMI programs since the initiative began in fall 2002.

The 11 winning proposals were selected from 19 entries that competed for $200,000 in grant funding. The grants will support both new and existing AAMI programs. All of which must include mandatory community partners focused on achieving AAMI’s goals and must match the AAMI funding it receives, dollar-for-dollar, with institutional and/or external funds.

Georgia Southwestern’s African American Male Institute is a comprehensive mentoring and academic program designed to increase black male graduation rates and enhance participants’ engagement in student life.

Ervin Anderson, GSW assistant professor of Mathematics, submitted the AAMI grant proposal. He is serving as the executive director of GSW’s African American Male Institute. Anderson said the program offers after school classes in computer science, mathematics, academic skills, social responsibility and self awareness for junior and senior black males from Americus-Sumter High School. The institute also provides participants workshops on standardize test taking, college registration, and financial aid for higher education.

Since the USG’s AAMI was launched, the enrollment of black males in the University System has increased by 24.5 percent, from 17,068 students in fall 2002, to 21,249 in fall 2007. Black male graduation rates have also improved significantly, along with an increase in retention.

For additional information, contact Anderson at (229) 931-2200 or email him at eda@canes.gsw.edu.

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